Knit Nordic, knit simple with new books

A good way to get through mud season is make there are new knitting books around to while away the doldrums as the switch from winter to spring mode swings into gear. Here are a few tomes knitters may find of interest:

“Quick Nordic Knits: 50 Socks, Hats and Mittens” by Ann-Mari Nilsson, published in conjunction with the Swedish Handcraft Association by Trafalgar Square Books, offers 41 designs with 12 variations. Knit a hat, mittens, socks and ankle warmers all in the Spruce design. Or set your sights on stripes such as the earflap cap done in blue and gray.

All of the designs in the book have about them an elegant air of utility that make them ideal choices when knitting for men, though women will like wearing them, too.

Those who knit for servicemen and women, or have loved ones who must wear hard hats on the job outdoors in cold weather will find the “bonnet” design of interest since it can serve as a helmet or hard hat liner.

The book’s spiral binding makes it user-friendly because it will open flat. The cost of the book is $16.95. Visit http://www.trafalgarbooks/com for information.

“Knit Simple Knitting Workshops,” published by Sixth and Spring, offers the how-tos of knitting and crochet, a glossary and terms to know, suggestions for building a knitting library and suggestions for tools knitters and crocheters might want to add to their kits. The book contains instructions for accessories, including jewelry, hats, mittens, socks and shawls; children’s hats and sweaters; easy tops; items for the home, such as afghans and pillows; and Christmas stockings, a felted wreath and knitted, embroidered tree ornaments — all compiled from the archives of Knit Simple magazine.

The book gives illustrated tutorials on turning a sock heel and picking up the gusset stitches, making a pompom, how to read a cable chart, and the ins and outs of making crocheted hairpin lace, a skill, like tatting, that needs more practitioners to keep it from disappearing.

The cost of of the book is $17.95. For information, visit http://sixthandspringbooks.com.

The little ones in your life will be stepping pretty when they wear designs from “Knitting for Little Feet: 40 Booties, Socks and Slippers for Babies and Kids” published by Trafalgar Books. Knitters of all levels will find these small projects just the thing for welcoming a newborn or just for fun gifts for a beloved baby or child in the family. A pattern in the “easy” category, Beach Buddies, features an openwork instep. The Winter King socks for a young child sports a snowflake pattern. Then there are the Jungle Sock with a narrow multicolored snake twining around the ankle and the Dancing Duck socks complete with a yellow “body,” orange “bill” aka the toes, and duck feet attached to the sides of the sock, which dance when the child walks. High Speed Chase socks, adorned with stars or hearts are a charming way to practice colorwork.

The cost of the book is $22.95. For information, visit http://www.trafalgarbooks.com.

“Knit Noro Accessories” published by Sixth and Spring Books is filled with elegant designs calling for the use of Noro yarn, a product of Japan. The designs in the book feature lace, cables, entrelac and felting. Designs that “spoke” to me were the entrelac iPad cover, a braided headband that covers the ears and sits upon the head in a queenly way and a tea cozy disguised as an exotic flower. The book also features patterns for scarves, shawls, mitts, leggings, bags, hats and pillows. The cost of the book is $24.95. To obtain a copy of the book, call your local bookstore or look online. Check with your local yarn shop to find out if it carries Noro yarn. For information, visit http://sixthandspringbooks.com.

Look for these titles online or stop by or call your local bookstore to inquire about them.

Snippets
The Maine Good Sam RV Club recently launched the second annual RV Samaritan Quilt Raffle to benefit The Maine Children’s Cancer Program that provides comprehensive treatment for children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. The quilt, made from fabric that features a recreational vehicle motif, was sewn by Good Sam volunteer quilters from New England and Atlantic Canada. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and available from Good Sam Chapter members statewide and at http://www.MaineGoodSams.org. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Samboree RV Rally on Sept. 9 in Fryeburg. Last year the raffle raised $1,200 for the cause. For information visit, http://www.mainegoodsams.org/Quilt_Raffle.htm.

Coastal Quilters will meet 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 10, at the Camden Lions Club on Lion’s Lane in Camden. The program, “Love It or Hate It — What Was I Thinking?” will be a humorous look at projects (the good, the bad, the ugly), done by the group. The meeting is free and open to all. For information, call Sarah Smith, 763-3565, or Prudy Netzorg, 354-0983.

National Quilting Day, sponsored by the National Quilting Association since 1991, is Saturday, March 17. For information, visit http://www.nqaquilts.org/natqday/.